Bandwidth allocation for relay networks

Abstract

Various example embodiments are disclosed relating to relay networks or multi-hop networks, and also relating to bandwidth allocation for relay networks. According to an example embodiment, a method of allocating bandwidth in a relay network may include receiving at a relay station a first code (e.g., a first CDMA code) from a first station (e.g., mobile station) via a first link, sending a second code (e.g., second CDMA code) from the relay station to a second station (e.g., a base station) via a second link in response to receiving the first code, the second code being one of a plurality of codes assigned to the relay station, and receiving a bandwidth allocation message at the relay station from the second station, the bandwidth allocation message including the second code and indicating an allocation of bandwidth for a transmission over at least one of the first link and/or the second link.

1. A method of allocating bandwidth in a relay network, the method comprising:
 receiving at a relay station a first code from a first station via a first link; 
 sending a second dedicated code from the relay station to a second station via a second link in response to receiving the first code, the second dedicated code being one of a plurality of codes assigned to the relay station, each one of the codes associated with a respective procedure; and 
 receiving a bandwidth allocation message at the relay station from the second station, the bandwidth allocation message including the second dedicated code and allocating bandwidth for a transmission over at least one of the first link or the second link, wherein the bandwidth is allocated based on at least one or more of the respective procedures. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first code includes a first Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) code for a first procedure, the first CDMA code at least temporarily associated with the first station, and wherein the second dedicated code includes a second CDMA code for or related to the first procedure, the second CDMA code assigned to or associated with the relay station. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the receiving at a relay station a first code comprises receiving at the relay station a first CDMA code from a mobile station, the first CDMA code being associated with a procedure and at least temporarily associated with the mobile station. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the receiving at a relay station a first code comprises receiving at the relay station from the mobile station the first CDMA code relating to a bandwidth request associated with one of a plurality of procedures. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the sending comprises sending the second dedicated code from the relay station to a second relay station via the second link in response to receiving the first code. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the sending comprises sending the second dedicated code from the relay station to a base station via the second link in response to receiving the first code, the second dedicated code being one of a plurality of CDMA codes assigned to the relay station. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the second link includes a plurality of links across a plurality of relay stations included in the relay network, and 
 a base station determines a bandwidth allocation associated with a group of the plurality of links located on a path between the sending relay station and the base station based on one or more of a network topology determined by the base station, or a network topology determined based on a network location of the sending relay station, determined based on a receipt of the second dedicated code. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the sending comprises sending a second CDMA code from the relay station to the second station in response to receiving the first code, the second dedicated code being one of a plurality of codes assigned to the relay station, the second dedicated code being one of the following:
 a CDMA code for mobile station ranging continue; 
 a CDMA code for mobile station ranging complete; 
 a CDMA code for a mobile station bandwidth request for data transmission; 
 a CDMA code for a Hybrid ARQ (hybrid automatic repeat request) retransmission; 
 a CDMA code for a data or signaling transmission to a relay station; or 
 a CDMA code for a data or signaling transmission to a mobile station. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the receiving the bandwidth allocation message comprises receiving a bandwidth allocation message at the relay station from the second station, the bandwidth allocation message including the second dedicated code and allocating bandwidth for a transmission over at least one of the first link or the second link, the second code including a second CDMA code. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the receiving a bandwidth allocation message comprises receiving a Map message that indicates a bandwidth allocation for a transmission on the first link and/or the second link. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 forwarding the bandwidth allocation message from the relay station to the first station, the forwarded bandwidth allocation message including the first code; and 
 receiving at the relay station a message from the first station via the allocated bandwidth over the first link. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 forwarding the bandwidth allocation message from the relay station to the first station, the forwarded bandwidth allocation message including the first code; 
 receiving at the relay station a first message from the first station via the allocated bandwidth over the first link; and 
 transmitting from the relay station to the second station a second message via the allocated bandwidth over the second link. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 sending a message from the relay station to the first station via the allocated bandwidth over the first link. 
 
     
     
       14. A method comprising:
 receiving at a relay station a first Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) code from a mobile station via a first link, the first CDMA code being at least temporarily associated with the mobile station and for a first procedure; 
 sending a second CDMA code from the relay station to a second station via a second link in response to receiving the first CDMA code, the second CDMA code being one of a plurality of CDMA codes assigned to the relay station, the second CDMA code being related to the first procedure of the first CDMA code; and 
 receiving a bandwidth allocation message at the relay station from the second station, the bandwidth allocation message including the second CDMA code and indicating an allocation of bandwidth for a transmission over the first link and the second link, wherein the bandwidth is allocated based on at least the first procedure. 
 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for wireless communications, the apparatus comprising:
 a controller; 
 a memory coupled to the controller; and 
 a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller; 
 the apparatus configured to:
 receive at a relay station a first code from a first station via a first link; 
 send a second code from the relay station to a second station via a second link in response to receiving the first code, the second code being one of a plurality of codes assigned to the relay station, one or more of the codes associated with a respective procedure; and 
 receive a bandwidth allocation message at the relay station from the second station, the bandwidth allocation message including the second code and allocating bandwidth for a transmission over at least one of the first link or the second link, wherein the bandwidth is allocated based on at least one or more of the respective procedures. 
 
 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for wireless communications, the apparatus comprising:
 a controller; 
 a memory coupled to the controller; and 
 a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller; 
 the apparatus configured to:
 receive at a relay station a first Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) code from a mobile station via a first link, the first CDMA code being at least temporarily associated with the mobile station and for a first procedure; 
 send a second CDMA code from the relay station to a second station via a second link in response to receiving the first CDMA code, the second CDMA code being one of a plurality of CDMA codes assigned to the relay station, the second CDMA code being related to the first procedure of the first CDMA code; and 
 receive a bandwidth allocation message at the relay station from the second station, the bandwidth allocation message including the second CDMA code and indicating an allocation of bandwidth for a transmission over the first link and the second link, wherein the bandwidth is allocated based on at least the first procedure. 
 
 
     
     
       17. A method of allocating bandwidth in a relay network, the method comprising:
 receiving a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) code at a base station from a relay station, the CDMA code being one of a plurality of CDMA codes assigned to the relay station, the CDMA code associated with a procedure; 
 allocating bandwidth for one or more wireless relay links in the relay network based on the procedure for the CDMA code; and 
 sending a bandwidth allocation message to the relay station, the bandwidth allocation message including the CDMA code and indicating an allocation of bandwidth for a transmission over the one or more wireless relay links. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein the CDMA code includes one of a plurality of CDMA codes included in a pool of CDMA codes allocated to mobile stations included in the relay network. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17  wherein the CDMA code includes one of a plurality of CDMA codes included in a first pool of CDMA codes different from a second pool of CDMA codes allocated to mobile stations included in the relay network. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17  wherein the receiving comprises receiving a CDMA code at a base station from the relay station via a first one of the wireless relay links, the CDMA code being assigned to the relay station, the CDMA code associated with a request for bandwidth for ranging response or data transmission on a second one of the wireless relay links. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 17  wherein the receiving comprises receiving a CDMA code at a base station from the relay station, the CDMA code being assigned to the relay station, the CDMA code associated with a request for bandwidth for ranging response transmission on a first one of the wireless relay links for a relay station. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 17  wherein the receiving comprises receiving a CDMA code at a base station from the relay station, the CDMA code being assigned to the relay station, the CDMA code associated with a request for bandwidth for ranging response transmission on a first one of the wireless relay links for a mobile station. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 17  wherein the receiving comprises receiving a CDMA code at a base station from the relay station, the CDMA code being assigned to the relay station, the CDMA code associated with a request for bandwidth for transmitting a Hybrid Automatic Repeat request (HARQ) error report. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus for wireless communications, the apparatus comprising:
 a controller; 
 a memory coupled to the controller; and 
 a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller; 
 the apparatus adapted to: 
 receive a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) code at a base station from a relay station, the CDMA code being one of a plurality of CDMA codes assigned to the relay station, the CDMA code associated with a procedure; 
 allocate bandwidth for one or more wireless relay links in the relay network based on the procedure for the CDMA code; and 
 send a bandwidth allocation message to the relay station, the bandwidth allocation message including the CDMA code and indicating an allocation of bandwidth for a transmission over the one or more wireless relay links.